GLOBALIZATION AND THE PATTERN OF INBOUND TOURISM IN AUSTRALIA

International tourist flows to Australia ave examined from the perspec tive of globalisation. The factors influencing such flows are identifi ed and their geographical impact outlined. Inbound tourism is shown to be growing quickly in both absolute and relative terms and to have a metropolitan emphasis that contrasts with the non-metropolitan focus o f domestic tourism. Tourism illustrates many of the social and cultura l changes occurring in contemporary society; the nature of tourism is changing as society changes with a result that new forms of tourism ar e emerging. Particularly noteworthy is the shift from mass to 'new tou rism'. The nature and likely impact of these changes in Australia is a ssessed. The paper concludes that growth rates comparable with those a chieved in the past might not be sustainable.